Ghost Stories Part 4
The Power
Pastor Fredi Vega
11/17/2013
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
I. What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a vital experience of the Christian life. It is a special work of the Holy Spirit beyond salvation.
So the disciples who had already made a decision to follow Jesus "were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4).
The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of power! Ephesians 3:20 says that He IS quite capable of doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us".
II. What can Christians experience after this baptism?
The short answer is the one Jesus gives in Acts 1:8. We will receive God’s power to be His witness in our neighborhoods and in the whole world.
But how? What power to witness?
A. The Holy Spirit gives us boldness under pressure.
Peter has just been thrown in prison with John for using the name of Jesus to heal a man. The religious leaders have thrown him in jail overnight.
The next day he confronts them in Acts 4:8-13 and basically tells them that they healed the man in Jesus' name, that the religious leaders crucified him, and that salvation is only found in Jesus.
Acts 4:13 says, “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”
B. The Holy Spirit gives us revelation knowledge.
Revelation knowledge is the ability to understand the true meaning of Scripture as given by the Holy Spirit.
Peter and the disciples did not display any real insight into Scripture before the day of Pentecost. Yet, once filled with the Spirit, Peter shows amazing insight as he witnesses for Jesus.
C. The Holy Spirit gives us inspired speech.
By this I simply mean that when we speak the Holy Spirit supplies the words.
For example, in Acts when Peter “addressed” the crowd of mockers on the Day of Pentecost, the word or phrase used there used there means that the Holy Spirit gave him the ability to speak.
III. What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?
In addition to being the primary sign that you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit according to the Bible...
There are at least 3 purposes of speaking in tongues, according to the New Testament:
1. As a gift to edify the church when the tongues are interpreted (1 Corinthians 12:10)
2. As a sign for unbelievers that they might believe (1 Corinthians 14:22)
3. For effective prayer and praise (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14).
In all these cases, tongues is the same in essence, but different in purpose.
Now our quest to be empowered by the Spirit should not focus on tongues. This is where we get out of balance sometimes!
IV. Who is the baptism in the Holy Spirit for?
Acts 2:38,39 says, “Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
As the church moves forward, surrounded by an increasingly wicked world, it is essential that we receive the power of the Holy Spirit...
Think about it...if Jesus told His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were endued with power why should it be any less important to us?
One writer said...“If your employer offered you a new tool to do your job with less physical effort but more excellence and precision, would you take advantage of that offer?
If a friend told you about a new program that has a great ability to assist people in their efforts to be better husbands, wives, and parents, would you be interested in the program?
How about an offer of some way to improve your Christian witness or multiply your efforts for God’s kingdom?
God has offered you a gift that will give you greater power than you could ever acquire naturally. That gift is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
V. How can I receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Listen, the Bible doesn't give a formula for receiving the baptism, but remember...
1. This experience is for all believers.
If you want the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you must be a Christian that believes this experience is for you.
2. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Gift.
A gift is not given because you deserve it, fasted or waited long enough … The only requirement is faith.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift that God, your loving heavenly father, wants to give you. Don’t make it more difficult than it is.
3. God’s Spirit already lives inside me.
If you're a Christian, the Holy Spirit indwells all believers.
Therefore, Spirit-baptism is an additional work of the already indwelling Spirit.
4. Be open and receptive.
Christmas time is coming! What do normal people do with gifts?
God does not baptize a person against their will. Yielding to the Lord and a willingness to submit to Him will prepare you to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Remember He already gave us the Helper now receive the gift of baptism!!!
We apologize. due to technical difficulties we do not have the audio for this message!
